Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action: Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

Embarking on a research career is not always easy. And yet today’s young researchers are vital to Europe’s future. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions want to make research careers more attractive to young people. Find out how!

The Initial Training Networks (ITN), part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, offer early-stage researchers (ESR) the opportunity to improve their research skills, join established research teams and enhance their career prospects.

What' s in it for young researchers?European Training Networks (ETN):

It takes two to tango but three to network. So, at least three participants from different countries (preferably up to 10) join together to propose a coherent programme for an ETN. The participants can be public or private universities, research organisations but also private companies, NGOs and international organisations. Each beneficiary must recruit and host at least one ESR and the involvement of organisation from different sectors is essential.

European Industrial Doctorates (EID):

In the case of an EID, only two participants from different countries are needed: one academic participant and one participant from the private sector. However, one of the conditions is that the researcher will have to be enrolled in a doctoral programme of the academic participant. The researcher will also spend at least 50 % of his/her time within the private sector.

Joint Doctoral Programmes (JDP):

At least three beneficiaries established in different countries join together to create a joint doctoral programme. They award a joint doctoral degree and share the recruitment of the researcher.

What does the funding cover?

All Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have a bottom-up approach, including all domains of research and technological development. Applicants should make appropriate reference to interdisciplinary and newly emerging supra-disciplinary fields in their proposal.

Successful researchers are recruited for a period between 3 and 36 months.

Who can apply?

Organisations can submit their proposals through the Participant portal. Please note that individual researchers are not eligible to submit a proposal for this call.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are part of Horizon 2020, the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020).